The number of Christians in areas controlled by Hamas and the Palestinian Authority has plummeted, by up to 90% in some communities, according to a new study.
of studyThe report, conducted by the Israeli think tank Jerusalem Center for Security and Diplomacy, said the decline was due to economic hardship, discrimination and violence, threatening the survival of Christianity in the historic heartland.
In 1922, Christians constituted 11% of the population of geographical Palestine. But by 2024, this number had dropped to 1%.
“The international community often ignores the plight of the Palestinian Christian community, despite small-scale clashes with some Jewish extremists in Israel. has been reported “Due to excessive media attention, Pennsylvania suppresses coverage of serious incidents of systematic oppression of Christians that never see the light of day,” co-authored by Lt. Col. Maurice Hirsch and attorney. Tirza Shor says: says the report.
“Often Christians are afraid to report hate incidents in Pennsylvania for fear of being arrested or worse. this It creates a distorted picture that Western governments and media outlets eagerly embrace. ”
As of October 2023, the Christian population was only 1,000. Selection subject This is down from 5,000 people in 2007. prior to Conquest of Gaza by Hamas.
According to christian postChristians are leaving their communities due to several factors, including religious and legal discrimination, desecration of sacred sites, and social exclusion.
For example, Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus, and its surrounding villages were 86% Christian in 1950, but by the last census in 2017, the Christian population had declined to about 10%. .
Systemic socio-economic challenges, instability and harassment by both Muslim Palestinians and the Muslim-dominated Palestinian Authority is quoted The report states the following reasons for Bethlehem's decline:
“A mass exodus of Christians risks undermining the survival of Christianity in its birthplace,” the researchers conclude.
Similarly, Christians in Aleppo, Homs, and Damascus are also facing difficulties following Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which has been designated a terrorist organization by the US and UK. conquered area earlier this month.
“The coming days and weeks will be crucial for the fate of humanity.” [the] Christian community,” International Christian Concern President Jeff King said in a statement. shared with christian post. “Christians, whose roots go back nearly 2,000 years, now face an uncertain and dangerous future.”
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Alexi J. Rosenfeld / Stringer
